Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-11-25
FORGIVENESS.
- AGNES DAVENp o RT


One evening, on his return from bus.
5ness, Mr.. Fletcher called Pamela and
Grace, his two daughters, to him.
Il have some bad nows for you, my
dears Are you brave enough to bear
at?" he said, gravely.
eyes, if it is nothing that will part us
three, cried Grace, impulsively throw
ing her arms around her father and
sister. ave can bear anything to-
gether, can't we, Pamela?"
But Pamela said nothing-only lifted
her eyes, in which was a shadow of
trouble, to her fathers face, and waited
for him to speak. And answering the
unspoken question in her eyes, he said /:
"It is something I have feared for
some time. There have been several
failures lately, which have crippled my
business so badly that"
He hesitated thinking how best to
Tell Of his utter ruin to those two beau
tiful girls who. all their lives, had
wanted for nothing which money could
procure them.
That you have failed, too! Is that
your bad news?" asked Grace, lightly.
Why, now, we shall have chance to
know what real life is! Ours has been
such a play-day sort of existence
mine has, at least-Pamela has done a
world of good in her quiet way-that
I'm glad of any change. Now we may
Join the noble army of workers, and
work for you, father, dear. It is time
you had rest"
1t was time indeed; for even as she
spoke, her father sank back in his
chair with such strange look upon his
face that she cried out in horror, think.
&ng him already dead.
But Pamela, bidding her send SER
want for Doctor Grey, hastened and
brought water to moistan her fathers
lips, and wine, when that failed to re.
nive him.
1t was only q swoon. induced by an
intense strain to which Mr.. Fletcher
had been subjected, and soon yielded
60 the remedies used by the Doctor on
his arrival, who warned him, however
of the worst effects which might follow
if he did not rest
GLOW can 7 rest?" exclaimed Mr.
Fletcher, fiercely. "Do you know that
I am ruined man? And here is my
child Turning to Grace talks
already Of working for me! AS .. if
would permit that! /, who have
brought them up SO tenderly and care
fully that not rough wind has blown
upon them! know you do not near
it, Grace, or I could find it my heart tc
hate you for the thought event"
"But I do mean it," began Grace
bravely, IT want"
t"Ehere, there" interrupted Doctor
Grey, who saw that Mr.. Fletcher really
had not control over himself. eco
away, now, you two ladies. Your fathe,
and I will settle matters 10y ourselves.
When Mr.. Fletcher grow quieter, the
Doctor went away, first telling Panels
and Grace that nothing must be said OF
done to annoy him. since there was
danger of brain fever from the excite
ment under which he had been labor.
ing. And indeed, almost before affairs
were adjusted, Mr.. Fletcher was seri
ously i'll.
1t was an honorable failure" men
said. Alas! how often one hears the
reverse! Everything, even the house
hold furniture and private property,
was given to satisfy the demands of the
creditors. Grace begged her father tc
take the rich jewelry which he had SO
generously bestowed upon her and he1
sister. But he refused, saying gloom
5ly, keep it, child 1t will be many a
long day before can give you such
things again."
But Doctor Grey, to whom Pamela
conided their desire to help Their
father, said: "You are right, my dear.
Sell the jewels. Young girls should
have none of those baubles. Their
bright, sparkling eyes are all the jewels
they need. Give them to me-"
"Our eyes?" interrupted Grace,
saucily.
eyes; and your ears, too, Miss PERT
said the Doctor; "and listen respect
fully, if you can, while speak"
His words and manner were e11ff
but his noble heart was proven by his
deeds. He disposed Of the jewelry &c
such good advantage Gas they